Natural and Mathematical Sciences grads set to start medical or doctoral programs

A group of recent Natural and Mathematical Sciences graduates at California Baptist University are enrolling in medical school or doctoral programs in the fall. (Top row): Gwendolyn Reynolds, Christian Shema Mugisha and Christopher Chan. (Bottom row): Daley Thomale and Kathy Gomez.

Riverside, Calif. (May 11, 2017) – Sixteen alumni from the Division of Natural and Mathematical Sciences at California Baptist University will attend medical schools or doctoral programs in fall 2017.

Graduates will be attending a variety of universities, including nearby University of California, Los Angeles, and Riverside (UCR) to colleges on the East Coast such as Washington University in St. Louis and Auburn University in Alabama.

Kathy Gomez, who graduated with a biology degree with a pre-med concentration, will attend the UCR School of Medicine.

Gomez accredits the faculty at CBU in helping her gain acceptance into a medical school.

“Whenever I felt overwhelmed, I knew I could go to them for help, prayer or even a shoulder [to lean on],” Gomez said. “They helped build up my application by connecting me to different leadership, volunteer, and clinical opportunities.”

Gomez plans to pursue a career in the medical mission field. At CBU, she discovered that changing the world is not a complex concept.

“I found it to be simple—have a heart like Christ’s,” Gomez said. “Be kind to everyone and help those who need it with a smile. You never know what someone is going through and small actions, that you don’t really think about, can have a big impact.”

Dr. Lisa Hernandez, professor of mathematics and associate dean of the division, said the faculty places a great emphasis on community and getting to know the students on a personal level. 

“Not only does this allow faculty members to pour in and mentor their students, but when it’s time for recommendation letters, the application process, and mock interviews, our faculty have a vested interest in the success of our students,” Hernandez said.

The division strives for academic rigor and excellence in order to prepare the students for future success, Hernandez said. The increase in acceptances into medical schools and other professional doctoral programs is a sure measure of that preparation, she added.

“We are continuously developing a culture of research and encouraging our undergraduates to partake in serious science and math research in order to show them how their disciplines can be applied to real-world situations, as well as, prepare them for the workplace and future study within their fields,” Hernandez said. 

Natural and Mathematical Sciences graduates

Daley Thomale, 2017 mathematics:  University of California, Riverside, seeking a Ph.D. in mathematics

Gwendolyn Reynolds, 2017 mathematics: University of California, Riverside, seeking a Ph.D. in mathematics

Christian Shema Mugisha, 2017 biochemistry and molecular biology: Washington University, seeking a Ph.D. in genetics and genomics

Christopher Chan, 2017 biology pre-med: Loma Linda University, School of Dentistry

Brittni Hall, 2017 mathematics: Auburn University, seeking a Ph.D. in math education

Lindsey McCartin, 2016 biology: Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine

Elliott Best, 2016 mathematics: University of California, Riverside, seeking a Ph.D. in mathematics

Madeline Le, 2016 biology pre-med: Pacific University School of Pharmacy

Viral Patel, 2016 biology pre-med: Marshall B. Ketchum University, College of Pharmacy

Casey Reid, 2016 biology pre-med: University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine

Nicole Van Spronsen, 2016 biology pre-med: University of New Mexico, School of Medicine

Jacob Frey, 2016 biology pre-med: University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine

Timothy Torrez, 2015 biology pre-med: University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine

Carl Carlson, 2015 biology pre-med: University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine

Brent Pino, 2012 biology pre-med: Western University of Health Sciences